Oxford Choral Classics: English Church Music assembles in two volumes around 100 of the finest examples of English sacred choral music of the past five centuries. The first volume, dedicated to anthems and motets, presents both favourite and lesser-known works, from the exceptional Renaissance polyphony of Taverner, Tallis, and Byrd, through the Restoration led by Purcell, to the glorious works of the great nineteenth- and twentieth-century composers, including Wesley, Elgar, Stanford, Vaughan Williams, and Howells. The volume contains a number of more substantial works, including Mendelssohn's Hear my prayer, Stainer's I saw the Lord, and Naylor's Vox dicentis: Clama, as well as a wonderful selection of shorter pieces, from Gibbons's O Lord, in thy wrath to Walton's Set me as a seal upon thine heart. With the second companion volume of canticles and responses, this bipartite collection presents a comprehensive survey of English sacred music at its best.

for SATB, solo violin (or flute), and organ This charming melody is a refreshing and beautiful alternative to Cesar Franck's setting of the same text, taken from Sacris Solemniis and written by St. Thomas Aquinas. The inclusion of the violin adds something special to the texture. This work is appropriate for multiple denominations and includes an English singing translation. The violin part is included in the back of the vocal score.

for SATB and piano Following the success of the upper-voice version, Chilcott has arranged the beautiful Like a Singing Bird for mixed choir. Combining texts by Christina Rossetti and Robert Burns, this version retains the upper-voice opening of the original, with the latter section being expanded into mixed-voice harmony.

for SATB (with divisions and Soprano solo) unaccompanied This gentle and expressive carol provides a wonderful alternative to more familiar settings of this well-loved text. The music is harmonically rich, and the floating soprano line adds another dimension to the texture. Suitable for a wide range of choirs at Christmas.

for SSAATTBB unaccompanied This is a truly beautiful addition to the Christmas repertory, setting a specially commissioned poem by Charles Bennett. The flexible metre creates a sense of movement, while the luscious harmonies and often-homophonic textures provide an anchor to the choral writing. The Rose in the Middle of Winter will appeal to all mixed-voice choirs looking for a poignant centrepiece for a Christmas concert or service.

for SATB unaccompanied This lively and uplifting carol sets a joyful fifteenth-century Christmas text by James Ryman. The music is rhythmic and powerful, with moments of rich and vibrant harmony offset by the strong, fanfare-like Latin refrain.

for SATB and organ The four motets in this set are adapted from Bob Chilcott's large-scale choral work, Salisbury Vespers, which was premiered in Salisbury Cathedral in May 2009. Setting a variety of early Marian texts, the set includes the gentle and expressive 'I sing of a mayden' and the fervent 'Hail, Star of the sea most radiant'. Re-scored for SATB and organ, the motets will be welcomed by choirs of all sizes looking for a more intimate introduction to Chilcott's magnificent landmark work. The motets can be performed as a set or individually, and are suitable for concert and liturgical use. Accompaniments for instrumental ensemble or for brass and organ are available to hire separately for each of the accompanied motets.

for SATB and harp or piano This delightful choral work brings together arrangements of four well-loved folksongs: 'Green Bushes', 'The Rambling Sailor', 'The Crystal Spring', and 'O, No John!'. A joyful celebration of youthful love and courtship, A Fancy of Folksongs bears all the hallmarks of Cecilia McDowall's appealing and popular style: rhythmic vitality, occasional astringent harmonies, and strong melodies, all brought together to create a distinctive and fresh sound. A Fancy of Folksongs can be accompanied by piano or harp (harp part available separately), and it is sure to be an instant hit with all lovers of McDowall's music. Vocal scores and harp part are available on sale and on hire/rental.

for SATB with optional solo, unaccompanied This is a sonorous and dramatic arrangement of Robert MacGimsey's Christmas spiritual by Canadian composer Larry Nickel. It opens with an optional solo that may be sung by the sopranos, and, towards the end, the rest of the choir sings a beautiful and repetitive pattern on 'oo' while the sopranos take the melody towards a surprising but effective close.

for flexible voices in one or two parts, with optional mixed-voice choir and piano or organ or chamber orchestra Due to popular demand, this tuneful carol is being made available as a separate choral publication. Setting a text by Timothy Dudley-Smith, the piece is characterized by a strong, memorable melody and warm harmonies. The choral leaflet preserves the flexible scoring of the original (first published in The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols), making it accessible to choirs of all types and sizes.

for unison voices and piano The central piece in Three Children's Songs, this setting of words by Frances Farrer is charming and lively. Having sung about the various professions to be pursued by their peers, the young choir proclaim their love of singing in a joyful chorus.

for soprano and tenor solo, SATB chorus, and orchestra or small ensemble Following the success of Salisbury Vespers, Bob Chilcott further explores the large-scale liturgical genre with his solemn yet uplifting Requiem. Setting words from the Missa pro defunctis and the Book of Common Prayer, the work gives a new slant to established texts: a beautiful setting of 'Thou knowest, Lord' sits alongside the powerful 'Offertorio', driving 'Sanctus', and enchanting 'Pie Jesu'. Deserving of a place among the canon of previous settings, Chilcott's Requiem is an elegy for the modern day. Accompaniments for orchestra and small ensemble are available on hire, and the piano reduction in the vocal score may be adapted for performance on the organ.

for SATB choir and organ This work was commissioned in honor of the Sanctuary Choir of the First Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. The text was written by Henry F. Lyte in 1834, and the melody by John Goss in 1869. Though other arrangements of this work for SATB and organ do exist, none are written as well and by Mack Wilberg, who has used his compositional craftsmanship to create this memorable arrangement suitable for choirs of all sizes and for performance throughout the liturgical year.

for SSATB unaccompanied First performed by the choirs of St Paul's, Westminster Cathedral, and Westminster Abbey, this anthem sets a medieval English poem to contemplative music with all the hallmarks of McDowall's style: expressive melismas, well-placed astringent harmonies, and a strong modal feel. Ideal for cathedral and other church choirs. Pronunciation guide and modern rendition of the text included.

for SATB and piano or orchestra
Mack Wilberg's new arrangement of The Twelve Days of Christmas for SATB and piano or orchestra is fresh and unconventional. The setting includes witty references in the accompaniment to the music of Brahms, Offenbach, Tchaikovsky, and other familiar tunes that allude to various gifts mentioned in the lyrics. The final round is a race to the finish, fueled with excitement and drama, as the music inches upwards with the recounting of each set of gifts.
Orchestral accompaniment is available on rental.

for SA and piano with body percussion This fun, raucous, and traditional Canadian sea-shanty is arranged for SA, piano, handclaps, thigh slaps, and foot stomps and has wonderful Canadian imagery: Were you ever in Quebec stowing timber on a deck? The piano part is easy to play and the vocal lines are a delight to sing. This title from the Oxford Music from Canada series is a perfect fit for school choirs.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Whether performed with piano or with an orchestral accompaniment, this music will surely provide a fresh and memorable experience at Christmas. The music is set in ABA format with light and bouncy A sections that surround a lush, slower, lyrical section. This work is appropriate in church services as well as holiday concerts. Orchestral accompaniments are available on rental. A version for upper voices is available separately (978-0-19-380495-1).

for SATB with divisions and piano This secular text, written by Edgar Allen Poe, is fanciful, calling into question whether reality is a dream, or even a dream within a dream. The music is lush and has a subtle hint of popular harmonies alongside well-written choral lines and an accessible piano part. This would be perfect material for a good secondary school choir.

for SATB and piano or orchestra Known for his arrangements of Christmas carols, given his high exposure as Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Mack Wilberg has created a new carol arrangement of Adam Adolphe's O Holy Night for mixed choirs. The piece has been arranged in the accessible key of D-flat major along with Wilberg's signature lush textures, which maintain the warm, rich, and dramatic qualities found in this famous carol. Included underneath the English is the French text for those choirs wishing to sing in the original language. Orchestral material is available on rental.

for SATB and piano, piano three-hands, and organ or orchestra
This collection of five new arrangements by Mack Wilberg is scored with varying accompaniments. Most are for piano, but one is with piano three-hands and another with organ. All five hymns have orchestral accompaniments available on rental. Either way, each hymn is beautifully arranged and is a wonderful addition to any service or concert program.

for SATB and piano four-hands or orchestra Written as a processional, the setting has brief musical interludes perfect for the entrance of a choir and clergy in a Christmas service. The energy and excitement built into this bouyant arrangement draws the listener in as it bounces from key to key with growing anticipation for a fantastic program (or service) of Christmas music!

The Oxford Book of Flexible Carols is the perfect resource for choirs of all types and sizes. Each carol is presented with flexible scoring options, clearly explained throughout, enabling performance by various combinations of singers. With a fabulous range of accessible, quality material, including traditional favourites and carols written specially for the collection, this is a must-have for all choirs at Christmas.